Health Services

School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success and life-long achievement and health of students. School nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety including a healthy environment; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self advocacy, and learning (NASN, 2010)

Pennsylvania School Immunization Requirements Children in ALL grades (K-12) need the following immunizations for attendance:

• 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis* (1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)
• 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella**
• 3 doses of hepatitis B
• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

Seventh through 12th Grade ADDITIONAL immunization requirements for attendance:

• 2 doses meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
  • First dose is given 11-15 years of age; a second dose is required at age 16 or entry into 12th grade.
  • If the dose was given at 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required.
• 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)

* Usually given as DTaP or DTP or DT or Td ** Usually given as MMR Exemptions for the school laws for immunizations are:

• medical reasons;
• religious beliefs; and
• philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction.

If your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be removed from school during an outbreak. Pennsylvania's school immunization requirements can be found in 28 PA Code Ch.23 (School Immunization) Contact your health care provider or Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).